Gathering Bones

About the artist

Jenelle Esparza is originally from Corpus Christi, Texas. Primarily a photographer, Esparza also works in multi-media installation and abstract photo-based work. She received her BFA in photography from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2010. SheRead more

About the exhibition

My interest in the history of cotton and the various possibilities of working with it is personal and universal. Personally, cotton represents my heritage and my family roots. Culturally, cotton is a common link of our collective American story. Conversely, it also represents a symbol of oppression due to its history of violence and exploitation in the US stemming from its economic significance worldwide.

The work in this exhibition expresses the connection between the body and the cotton fields, with each piece representing the physical toll of labor on the body and spirit to reveal its stress, strain, strength, and resilience.